PC Tools Spyware Doctor 5.0 Expert Reviews

The latest release of PCTools Spyware Doctor 5.x addresses a number of nettlesome software glitches we experienced with version 5.0. In testing on version 5.1 done by CNET labs, Spyware Doctor did proactively shield us from test spyware in seven out ...

PCTools Spyware Doctor is one of the last independent antispyware apps on the market, and, until this recent release, was one of the better choices. Version 5 introduces new under-the-hood protection--and a number of nettlesome software glitches. In ...

Until this recent release, Spyware Doctor was one of the better antispyware choices. Nettlesome glitches and a low rate of spyware removal, however, keep us from recommending Spyware Doctor 5 for now.

Top performance, Antiphishing protection

Alarmist handling of harmless tracking cookies

The current top performer among antispyware programs also provides antiphishing protection.

From-scratch rewrite has the virtues and problems of a brand-new program.

Includes antivirus. Offers more information about quarantined files. Scans incoming and outgoing e-mail attachments. Built-in rootkit detection. Vista-compatible. Updates silently in the background.

Less powerful than SD4 against commercial keyloggers and handmodified malware samples. Wrongly detected a text file as malware. May affect performance. UI glitches.

Spyware Doctor gets rebuilt from the ground up in version 5.0. It offers powerful spyware and virus protection, but like any new program it has some problems. If you use 4.0, wait to upgrade until PC Tools works out the kinks.

- No matter how many times we tell people the Internet is a scary place if you go out unprotected, people still go it alone and end up paying the price. So, it pays to be cautious and get the best line of defence set-up before you even think of going ...

Great range of features, works well

Simplistic interface

It's easy to set up, easy to use and gets the job done with minimum fuss, making this a great anti-spyware tool

Spyware Doctor 5.1 includes antivirus, fixes previous glitches, and improves overall performance.

Spyware Doctor 5.1 includes antivirus, fixes previous glitches, and improves overall performance

Spyware Doctor 5.1 trial version does not work unless you buy the product ; installed version did not fully uninstall ; frequent pop-up alerts ; found too many cookies ; in testing, Spyware Doctor didn't remove all traces of found spyware

Spyware Doctor 5.1 could be more aggressive in removing all traces of found spyware.

The latest version of Spyware Doctor offers three-pronged protection for your PC against spyware, combining real-time threat blocking, system scanning and browser infection protection.

If you want something a little more capable than freeware antispyware products such as Windows Defender 1.1 or Spybot Search & Destroy, then Spyware Doctor remains the one to buy: as before it's still arguably the best antispyware utility on the ...

As the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Over the course of the past few years, Spyware Doctor has been at the top of its game. The program's one of a handful of anti-spyware tools that has managed to not only keep up with these threats, ...

Superbly effective, Easy to use

Some odd default settings, Price on the high side

Easy-to-use spyware protection that does it's job exceptionally well